BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASECalifornia Desert District Office

Release Date:
04/18/14

Contacts:

Stephen Razo: 951-697-5217; srazo@blm.gov

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News Release No. CA-CDD-14-36

BLM Initiates Environmental Review of Tylerhorse Wind Energy Project

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is seeking public comment on the proposed Tylerhorse Wind Project, a 60-megawatt facility planned for 1,200 acres in Kern Country, CA. The BLM today published a Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project, which includes a proposed amendment to the California Desert Conservation Area Draft Plan.

Heartland Wind, LLC, has requested a right-of-way authorization to develop a wind energy facility with a proposed output of 60 megawatts and a project footprint of approximately 1,200 acres. The proposed project would be located on BLM-managed lands in Kern County approximately 15 miles west of California State Highway 14, 12 miles south of California State Highway 58, and 8 miles north of State Route 138. If approved, the authorization would also amend the California Desert Conservation Area Plan to identify the site as suitable for wind energy development.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement analyzes the site-specific impacts on air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, water resources, geological resources and hazards, hazardous materials handling, land use, noise, and visual resources. The analysis also examines potential mitigation measures to avoid these impacts, to minimize those that cannot be avoided, and to compensate for those that cannot be minimized.

The overall site layout and generalized land uses for the Tylerhorse Wind Project could include 40 wind turbine generators, underground 34.5-kilovolt electrical collection and fiber optic communications systems, access roads, and fencing. Electrical power from the project would connect to an existing substation located on the neighboring Manzana Wind Energy Project that would then interconnect with Southern California Edison’s Whirlwind Substation (Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project Substation 5) by means of a 220-kilovolt overhead transmission line. If the Tylerhorse project is approved, construction would take approximately four months to complete.

The public comment period of 90 days commenced with today’s publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. During the comment period, the BLM solicits public comment on issues, concerns, potential impacts, alternatives, and mitigation measures that should be considered in writing the Final Environmental Impact Statement. The BLM will announce public meetings or hearings and any other public involvement activities at least 15 days in advance through public notices, media releases, and/or mailings. The BLM will use the public comments received to prepare the Final Environmental Impact Statement and proposed Plan Amendment to be available for public review in 2014. Comments may be emailed to:blm_ca_tylerhorse_wind_project@blm.gov

The BLM continues its work on environmentally responsible development of utility-scale renewable energy projects on public lands as part of the Administration's efforts to diversify the Nation's energy portfolio. Since 2009, the BLM has approved nearly 14,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity, enough to power 4.8 million homes and support over 20,000 jobs. The 51 projects approved comprise 28 solar facilities, 11 wind farms, and 12 geothermal plants.